PEARLS OF COMFORT
JULIE-ALLYSON IERON
'The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it' (Matthew 13:45-46; NKJV).
God, my Father,
You know the challenges I’m facing these days, and that I’m here in a place I’d hoped never to be.
I pray that You will make Yourself real to me right here and now in this time of illness. Let me feel You near. Assure me of Your love and compassion. Let me find rest and comfort in Your loving care.
Thank You for being such an up close and personal God—and for taking the time to love and attend to me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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TREASURED BY GOD
Withinthelast24hours,Ihadaphonecallfromafriendwhose fatherwasbeingrushedtotheemergencyroom(shecalledasshe was en route tothehospital)andanemailfromanotherwhose motherwasbeingresettledintoanursingfacilityafterafall.Iattendedthememorialforoneofmymother'scontemporarieswhose childrenwatchedherdieinalongbattlewithcancer.Whilesocializingthere,Icriedwithanacquaintancewhosemother(livingthousandsofmilesaway)istotteringbetweenlifeanddeathafterhavingastroke,andstoodwithanotherwhosesister-in-lawisinarehabhospital.(Tomakemattersworse,thepatient'shusbandisin thegripsofadvanceddementia.)
IassuredallofthemthatIwouldcarrythemtotheFatherin prayer.AndIwillcontinuetodoso.But,inonesense,thatseemsso littleformetodo.
Asyoueachwillattest,thesecrisesarealltoocommonaswe watchourlovedonesage.Andtheytakeatollonusaswestandby helplessly,entrustingourpreciouslovedonesintothecareofmedicalteamsmadeup,byandlarge,ofstrangers.Butdoourprayers reallydoanythingforourfellowcaregiversorcarereceiversincrisis?
Somanytimesourlivesarefilledwithtrauma,emergency,upheaval,guilt,anddistress.Perhapsthat'swhytheScriptureIwant tosharewithyoutodayjumpsoffthepageforme.
ThesettingiswhentheProphetDanielreceivedaterriblyunsettlingrevelationfromtheLord.Ittroubledhimsothathecould doabsolutelynothingbutpourhisheartouttoGod.Hedidn'teat. Hedidn'tsleep.Hedidn'ttendtopersonalhygiene.(Doesthat soundatalllikethelifeofacaregiverincrisis?)Fortwenty-one daysthiswenton.(Seeminginterminable,justlikeourheavy-duty caringtimes.)Andthen,inamoment,amessengerfromheaven showedup.
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Pearls of Comfort
DidthatmessengerberateDanielforhistears?Didhetellthe prophettobuckup?Didhebullrightinwiththediscouragingdiagnosis?DidhetellDanieltostopprayinganddosomethingmore productive?Noneoftheabove.Here'sthewayDanielrecorded whathappened:
Nostrengthwasleftinme;myfacegrewdeathly pale,andIwaspowerless.…Suddenly,ahandtouched meandraisedmetomyhandsandknees.Hesaidtome, "Daniel,youareamantreasured⌊byGod⌋.Understand thewordsthatI'msayingtoyou.Standonyourfeet,forI havenowbeensenttoyou."Afterhesaidthistome,I stoodtrembling."Don'tbeafraid,Daniel,"hesaidtome, "forfromthefirstdaythatyoupurposedtounderstand andtohumbleyourselfbeforeyourGod,yourprayers wereheard.Ihavecomebecauseofyourprayers"(Daniel 10:8-12,HCSB).
Threephrasesjumpoutatme,asiftheywereablazeinneon lights:
"youare…treasuredbyGod"
"don'tbeafraid"
"yourprayerswereheard"
Myfriendswhoseparentsareincrisisthisday(andthoseofus whoareinbreathermomentsbetweencrises),takeheart.Notonly doesGodseeyourexhaustion—feelyourlackofstrengthandyour powerlessnessinthefaceofcrisis,butHesendsananswer aresponsetoyourprayers.
Whateveryou'refacingtoday,knowthisforafact:
YouaretreasuredbyGod.
Youdon'tneedtoremainafraid.(Thinkofthewordsof David,inPsalm23:"Iwillfearnoevil,forYouarewith me.")
And,mostofall,Godhearsandisevennowactingon yourbehalf.
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Treasuredone,bestrongandstandonyourfeet,fortheLord wholovesyouisbesideyoutoday.HewastherewithHisservants indayspast,Heiswitheachofustoday,andHewillbealwaysand foreverwithus.
May I find strength and encouragement from the truths of Your Word. Hearten me, I pray, for today’s task. ∆
PRECIOUS, SHORT-LIVED SOLITUDE
IhadasinglemomentofsolitudeonSaturdayevening,although foramomentitdidn'tlooklikeitwouldcometobe.Theplaceof solitude:acommuterjetenroutetoOhareairport.Itwasjusta quickbreather,mid-weekend.I'dkissedmyfolksgoodbyeonly hoursbefore andnowIwasreturninghome.Ithadbeenanintense36-hourwhirlwindtrip,whereI'dwrittenachapterofmy newBiblestudybookwhilesittinginanoisygatearea,attendeda curriculumplanningmeetinginColoradoSprings,andwasnowreturninghometoteachourAdultBibleFellowshipandplayviolinin thechurchorchestraonSundaymorning.
Itwasthelastflightoftheevening,soIexpectedittoberather empty;judgingfromthegatearea,Iwasright.So,Iboardedearly (I'dpaidfortheprivilege)andnestledintoseat4a,foldedmyarms andbegantodoze.Suddenlymyrow(thethreeremainingseatsof it)wasaccostedwithafamilyoffour yes,fourinthreeseats littlegirl,dad,momandtoddler(withdirtydiaper).Iprobably don'thavetodescribewhatwasgoingthroughmymind.Ifumed silentlyforthedurationoftheboardingprocess.
Butthen,blessher,theflightattendantwhowasabouttoclose theaircraftdoormadethisannouncement:"Anyonewhowishes maymovebackintheplane,wherethereareemptyseats."
Upinaflash,Ifoundmyselftheemptyrow7andsprawled acrossit.
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Whoa!AblessingforwhichIwasdesperate.Restfulmoments spentwithmyheadinmyhands,prayingforstrengthandwisdom andenergyandcourageandsafety(formyselfandformyaging parentswhileIwasaway).
Ifindmyselfinmomentsofsolitude,rareastheyare,seeking thecompanyofmySavior.ItisinHiscompanythatI,nomatter howoverwhelmedandexhausted,canbreatheinenoughheavenly oxygentocontinuemyheavy-ladenschedule.
Iwascomfortedinthosemomentsbytwostatementsfromthe Wordthatwerecloseinmymemory comfortedbecausethey showmeareminderIabsolutelyneedrightaway.
ThefirstisinMark6:
TheapostlesgatheredaroundJesusandreportedto Himallthattheyhaddoneandtaught.Hesaidtothem, "Comeawaybyyourselvestoaremoteplaceandresta while."Formanypeoplewerecomingandgoing,and theydidnotevenhavetimetoeat.Sotheywentawayin theboatbythemselvestoaremoteplace,butmanysaw themleavingandrecognizedthem.Peopleranthereby landfromallthetownsandarrivedaheadofthem.Mark 6:30-33(HCSB)
ThesecondisinDeuteronomy31:
TheLORDistheOnewhowillgobeforeyou.Hewill bewithyou;Hewillnotleaveyouorforsakeyou.Donot beafraidordiscouraged."Deuteronomy31:8(HCSB)
WhydoIfindcomforthere—andwhydoIbelievethatperhaps you'llfindcomforthere,aswell?
First,wedesperatelyneedtotellJesusallaboutwhat'sbeen goingoninourlives.WeneedtolayoutbeforeHimthethingsthat havewrungusoutlikethesoggyspongeIleftcruncheduponmy kitchencounter nexttothedirtydishes.Theymaybegoodthings, likethosethedisciplesreported: I've been about your ministry, Lord, and I've seen Your hand accomplish many things! Ortheymaybe
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menialorfrighteningortediousthings. God, I can't take another moment of watching my loved one fade away, his mind captive to dementia, her body ravaged by disease.
Inthosemoments,wecanbeheartenedbyJesus'responseto thedisciples becauseIbelieveHeisrespondingtoourreports similarlytoday.
First,notethatHedidn'tsay Great job. I'm impressed with all you did for Me.
Instead,here'smyparaphraseofhowHedidrespond: You don't even have time to eat. Let me help you take care and refresh yourself. You can't do ministry and you won't find strength for the day by heaping exhaustion upon exhaustion.
True,thedisciples'workwaswaiting(perhapsevenmultiplied) ontheothersideofthatlake,butforabriefmoment,Jesus'prescriptionforthemwasrespite.I'mgladMarkdoesn'tgiveusareportaboutsomeheavyteachingJesusgaveduringthetrip.Isuspect,ifIweretoimaginethescene,eachdisciplecurledup,nibbled onhispackedlunch,thencradledhisneckinhispackandnapped.
Likethedisciples,afterthefoodandthenap,thecomfortwe'll findintheDeuteronomypassageistheonethatpreparesustoreturntotheworkathand:Godhasn'tforsakenusorleftus andHe neverwill.ThisworktowhichHe'scalledme,challenginganddifficultthoughitmaybe,ispossibleforthatveryreason.Hecalls.He's faithful.He'sherewithmerightnow.And,mytreasuredfriend, He'srighttherewithyou,aswell.
Father, please give me a moment of refreshment today (even in the oddest place), where I can drink in Your instruction and Your timeless promises to me. ∆
OUR ONLY SOURCE OF STRENGTH
IspentthismorningteachinganadultBiblefellowshipgroupat ourchurch.MytopicwasJohn15:1-10.Whatabeautifulandjampackedpassagethatis.OurLord,justbeforegoingtoGethsemane
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andthentothecross,solovinglyaddressedHisfollowers.Hechallengedthem.Hecomfortedthem.HeremindedthemofallHe'd beenmodelingbeforethemthroughoutHisyearsofministry. And,mostrelevantlyforusinthemidstofchallengingmedical situations,Hehadadireyethope-filleddiagnosisforhowourlives willbemeasured,fromHisvantagepoint:
"Remaininme,andIwillremaininyou.Nobranch canbearfruitbyitself;itmustremaininthevine.Neither canyoubearfruitunlessyouremaininme.Iamthevine; youarethebranches.IfamanremainsinmeandIinhim, hewillbearmuchfruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John15:4-5).
Faithfulcaregiver,exhaustedpatient,inthedrudgeryandlifesappingtasks,youprobablyhavenoproblemwiththeconceptthat yourstrengthisn'tsufficientfortheday.Iknowtherehavebeen manydays,humanlyspeaking,whenthedemandsonmehavefar surpassedmyenergystores.Youmaybelivingoneofthosetoday.
ButJesusdidn'ttellusthatwecouldn'tdo much apartfrombeingconnectedtoHim.Hedidn'tsay,thereare some things that you'llneed a little help doing.Hedidn'tsay, sometimes you'llwant toplugintomeforalittleextra something. No!Hesaid,"Without me,yourbesteffortswillamounttonothing." Nothing? Really, Jesus? I'm doing so many things because it's right for me to do them. Okay, so sometimes, I forget to get recharged or to ask for Your direction. But it all counts for nothing? That's a drastic diagnosis to give me when I'm trying so hard!
Prettydiscouragingstuff,ifHe'dleftitthere.Butthegoodnews isthatthere'smoretothestory infact,Hegaveusthegoodnews aheadofthebadnews.Let'slookagainatverse5,thistimefrom theNLT,becausethereitreallypops:
"Yes,Iamthevine;youarethebranches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. Forapartfrommeyoucandonothing."
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In Christ, through Christ,and by Christ,ourlaborswillbemore productivethanwecouldeverimagine.Theywillbear"muchfruit." Notalittle.Butalotofjuicy,fruity,nourishingsweetnesswillcome burstingoutofourlives.That'swhatIwanttobeapartofproducing,don'tyou?
Whatdoesthisfruitlooklikeinreallife?Inourprayertimein ABFthismorning,weheardaboutamanwhoisbattlingcancer. He'samanofstrongfaithinChrist.And,asweweregoingtoprayer onhisbehalf,weheardthisreport:hiswifesaysherfaithhasbeen strengthenedasshe'swatchedhimandcaredforhimthroughthe illnessthathashiminitsgrasp.ThisbrotherinChristis remaining heisshowingbyalifewelllivedthatnotthroughhumaneffort,butthroughChrist'slifeshiningthroughhissuffering,his branchisbearingfruitforthekingdomofGod.
So,thechallengetoeachofustodayisclear.Remainattachedto thevineofChrist.It'snotanoption,notonethingamongmanyto dropdowntherungsofourto-dolistsuntilwegetmoretime.It's crucial—it'slife-giving—anditmakesallthedifferenceinthe world.
Father, May I remain attached to Christ today and in my remaining, may He bear much fruit through my life as I give myself away in care for those I love and as I battle the illnesses that are threatening to get me down. ∆
A GETHSEMANE REQUEST
InthisweekwhenwecommemorateChrist'spassionforus,I'm spendingsometimecontemplatingandexaminingMatthew'seyewitnessaccountofthelasthoursbeforeJesuswasarrested,tried, convicted,andcrucified.
Inparticular,I'mdrawnanewtothemomentsHespentpraying inGethsemane.Here,initscontext,isthelinethatfindsspecialsignificanceformethisEasterseason:
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ThenJesuscamewiththemtoaplacecalledGethsemane,andsaidtoHisdisciples,"SitherewhileIgoover thereandpray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. ThenHesaidtothem,"Mysoulisdeeplygrieved, tothepointofdeath; remain here and keep watch with Me" (Matthew26:36-38NASB).
The grieved and distressed,theseIunderstand.Asmypastor pointedoutthismorning thisgrief,thisdistressthatJesusexperiencedinthathourandthemuchgreatersufferinginthehoursthat followed—thoseHeexperiencedonmybehalf,andyours.Noone onthisplanetorinallofcreationcouldtakeHisplaceordowhat Hewascalledontodointhathour.OnlyHecouldcarryoursins, ourgrief,oursorrows,ourpain.Therewasnootheralternative.If weweretoberescuedfromthecurseofEden'ssin,onlyChrist couldenterintodeathitselftobuyusbackatthecostofHispreciouslifeblood.
ButthissimplerequestofourMasterasHefacedthehourthat wouldculminateinthereasonHeenteredspaceandtimeinhuman form,issotelling."I'mindistress,myfriends,andIneedyoutojust beherewithmeinthismoment."Therewasnothingthedisciples coulddotolessenChrist'sload.Hewouldneverpermitit.
(Remembertheconversation,probablyjustweeksbefore,when PeterblurtedouttheclaimthatheneverwouldlethisMasterbe puttodeath?JesushadaquickandstrongrebukeforHisfriend "GetbehindMe,Satan!YouareastumblingblocktoMe;foryouare notsettingyourmindonGod'sinterests,butman's"[Matthew 16:23NASB]).
No,therewasnowayanyonecouldlessentheMessiah'ssuffering exceptsimplyby being withHiminthishour.MuchlikeMary whohadanointedJesus'feetwithcostlyperfumedaysearlierin Bethany,thesethreeinner-circlefriends(Peterincluded)hadthe opportunitytositwithJesusasHepouredoutHisgriefanddistress totheFather.
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Ifyouknowtherestofthestory,youknowthedisciplesweren'tuptothetask,forexhaustion(andperhapsgrief)overtook them.ButthesignificancehereisthatevenChrist,inthismoment ofhighdramaandoverwhelmingintensity,calledontrustedloved onestositbesideHim.
Whichbringsustothesignificanceofthispassagetousaswe faceillnessesofvariouskinds:Thebeautyofbeingmembersof Christ'sfamilyisthatincompassion,camaraderie,andcomfort,we canjust be witheachotherinourmostchallengingandgrievous moments.Noonecanbethedaughtertomyparentsexceptme.No onecanperformyourroleinyourlovedone'slife,either.Butwe canstandtogether(orsittogether)topouroutourheartsand shareourstoriesandremindeachotherthatwe'renotalone.We areafamily,andwhenonehurtsweallcloserankstoofferhearts ofcompassionandearstolistenandarmstohugandeyestoshare tears.
Ihavetheprivilegeofbeingpartofaprayerteam ateamof caregiversacrossseveralstates allofwhomread The Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to … Caring for Aging Parents anddecided theyneededeachother'sprayersupportastheywentaboutthe challengingtasksofhonoringtheiragingparents.WhenIheard aboutthegroup,IaskedifIcouldbeapartofit.Ican'ttellyouwhat ablessingthesewomenaretome.Wehavetheopportunity,via cyberspace,tojust be witheachotherinthesedeeplygrievous times.
Butthereisevenbetternewsyet…theGod/ManChristexperiencedinthathourintheGardenofGethsemanemygrief and yours.Heknowshowitfeels.Heknewwhatitmeanttobeoverwhelmedwithsorrowtothepointofdistressandexhaustion.He experienceditallforus andHewillsitwithusinourmoments today,ifwewillbutcarrythemtoHiminprayerandheartfeltpleas.
Father, I thank you that I don't even need Internet access to get to You and You won't ever fall asleep. I am grateful to know You watch and pray with me.∆
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CHRIST'S PASSION FOR OUR GRIEFS
WithGoodFriday(andEaster)soonapproaching,I'vebeen turningmyattentiontothewayGodrevealedChrist'spassionto theprophetIsaiahcenturiesbeforeJesus'birth.It'safamiliarpassageinIsaiah53,butoneIbelievehasspecialrelevancetousas caregivers whodailyworktoassuageanother'spains,allthe whilebattlingourowngriefs,sorrows,disappointments,agonies, andillnesses.
Listen,wearycaregiver,tohowcloselyJesusidentifiedwith yourcircumstanceswhileHisbodywasbeingtorntoshredsbythe stripes,whileHislife-bloodwasspatteringdown,whileHegasped foreachfleetingbreath.I'llusetheHCSBtranslation,whichmay soundalittledifferentfromtheoneyou'veheardorreadforyears. (Idothisintentionally,becausesometimesreadingthesametruth withadifferentcadencearrestsourattentionandenvelopesusin oldtruthfromanewperspective.)
Hewasdespisedandrejectedbymen, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.Hewaslikesomeone peopleturnedawayfrom;Hewasdespised,andwedidn't valueHim.
YetHeHimself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains;butweinturnregardedHimstricken,struckdown byGod,andafflicted.
ButHewaspiercedbecauseofourtransgressions, crushedbecauseofouriniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds
Weallwentastraylikesheep;weallhaveturnedto ourownway;andtheLORDhaspunishedHimforthe iniquityofusall.(Isaiah53:3-6,HCSB)
Whenmypastorpreachedonthispassagerecently,hekeyedin onthefactthatasIsaiahprophesiedthisevent,hementionedour sicknessesandpainsearlyon.Thisissignificant,hesaid,lettingus
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seehowcloselyJesusidentifiedwithusatourweakestpointsof humansuffering. He knew what sickness was!
AsHetookthestripesandfeltthenailstearintoHisflesh,Jesus felttheexhaustionofeveryhome-tiedcaregiverwhosebackaches fromliftingherparentfrombedtowheelchair.Hefelttheshreadingsorrowofthelonggoodbyedementiapatientsandtheirloved onesendure.Hefeltthegriefofdeath'sseparation.Hefelttheuncertaintyyou'reexperiencingasyou'redoingyourbestforyour parentbutyoufearyourbestmaynotbenearlyenough.
Hefeltit,Heboreitforus,andHeoffershopethroughHisresurrectionthatinHisbearingthesegriefsandsorrows,therewillbe adaywhenwewillknowwhatisalreadyknownintherealmsof Eternity...sorrow,sighing,tears,andpainhaveallbeenswept awaybytheflowofHispreciousblooddownthatawfulcrossand intothedesertsandsoutsideJerusalemthatday.
Yes, have all been sweptaway.Whatwe'reexperiencinghere, thoughitfeelssopermanent,soreal,soabsolutelyendless,ismore likeanevaporatingvaporthanaconcretereality,atleastfrom Heaven'sperspective.ThroughtheprophetGodspeakswhatwill beasifitalreadyhadbeen by His stripes, we are healed.
So,aswegoaboutourdayofpain,rehab,illness,orcaregiving myprayeristhateachofuswilltryonthisHeavenlyrealityfor size notonlyisChristside-by-sidewithusinourmostgrievous tasks,butHehasalreadyconqueredthemforeverybelieverwho trustsinHimforultimateandcompletesalvation.
God, give me comfort and strength for today’s challenges, drawing on the recourses from Your bearing my pain in Your body. ∆
HE IS RISEN!
It'sdaysliketodaythatmakemeappreciategoodfriends,stable health,andtimetogetherasafamily.Thereweresixofusaround theEastersuppertablethisafternoon:myparentsandIwere joinedbyourdearfriends twoadultdaughtersandtheirwid-
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owedmom.Despiteallofushavingendured(evenasrecentlyas thelasttwoweeks)varioustripstosurgeons,doctors,testfacilities, pharmacies,emergencyrooms,andmore,onthisdaywewereall togetherandforthemomentonthebetterside,health-wise.
Irealizeforyouthedaymayhavebeenquitedifferent we aroundthetablehavebeenthroughourseasonsofsuchintense illnessthataholidaymealtogetherwasunthinkable.Thatprobably madetodayallthatmuchsweeterforthesixofus reflectingon howGodhasbroughtusthroughstormyseasons,reflectingonour lovedoneswhoarealreadyabsentfromthebodyandpresentwith theLord;reflectingonthehopethatkeepsusgoingwhenthe weeksagainbecomeEverest-liketreksdevoidofSherpaguides. Today'ssharedmealwasareminderformetokeeponencouragingyoutobeheartenedwiththeknowledgethatseasonspass. Yourloadwon'tbeunbearablealways.ThehopeofEasterisexactly that.Therewillbeadaywhen...
TheLORDofhostswillpreparealavishbanquetfor allpeoples…Hewillswallowupdeathforalltime,And theLordGODwillwipetearsawayfromallfaces,AndHe willremovethereproachofHispeoplefromalltheearth; FortheLORDhasspoken.Anditwillbesaidinthatday, "Behold,thisisourGodforwhomwehavewaitedthatHe mightsaveus.ThisistheLORDforwhomwehave waited;LetusrejoiceandbegladinHissalvation."Isaiah 25:6-9(NASB)
Imaginewhatthatcelebrationwillbelike.Heavenlychefsplacingbeforeagatheringofsaintsfromallnationsandallgenerations themostlavishandbountifulspreadevertabled.AndtheLordof loveandgrace theSaviorofResurrectionSunday presidingat theheadasMasteroftheHouseholdofFaith.Beforethemeal,He willcometoeachoneandwithHisownnail-piercedhandbrush awayalltears,removing,asHedoesthis,thelastresidueofsorrow andmourningandpainandsufferingfromoursojournonfallen
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earth.Withthat,thejoyofsalvationwilleruptinamagnitudenever beforeexpressed.
Lookingtowardthisdaycanbecomeourmotivator—our hope ourassurance astheseasonofillnessorcaregivinglooms aheadofus.Allthisispossible,becauseitisJesus'expresseddesire: "IwantthemtobewithMewhereIam."OnthenightbeforeHis crucifixionChristtoldtheFather."IwantthemtoseeMyglory,the gloryIhadbeforethefoundationoftheworld"(fromJohn17).
That'swhytherewasacrossforChrist.That'swhytherewasa crownofthornstwistedintoHisbrowandaspearinHissideanda burialshrouddrapedacrossHisbatteredearthlyshell.
That'swhytherewasaboulderrolledacrosstheentranceofa borrowedtombbyhulkingRomansoldiers.
That'swhyittooktwoangelsinwhiterobestobreaktheseal andanearthquaketorollawaythehunkofsolidearthandsitatop it readyingthegrandannouncement:HEISNOTHERE.HEIS RISEN,ASHESAID.
SuretheamazingnewsoftheResurrectionstunnedevenHis innercircle.They'dstoodbyhelplessly—asifinthemosthorrid nightmare whiletheirMasterwascruellyandbrutallymassacred byacrowdofeasilyswayedcountrymenandforeignersoldiers.But withChrist'sresurrectioninthepoweroftheHolySpirit(Romans 1:4),deathwouldnolongerwin itwouldneverbetheendfor thosewhobelieveinHim.Thecruelestsufferingonearthwillpale inthatdaywhenit'swipedawaybythelovinghandofourLord.All thatwillremainwillbeourknowledgeofHisfaithfulness,Hislove, Hisgrace,Hismercy andourundyinggratitudeforit.
Takehope,myfriend.Nomatterwhatyou'refacingtoday,let theemptytombbeyoureternalreminderthatChristdidn'tjustexperienceyourgriefs beside you,didn'tjustcarrythem with you,but Heconqueredthemonceforalltime for you. The tomb is empty, soyourexhaustionandyoursuffering—thesedonothavethelast word.Hehasconquered,andHewillonedayallowyoutoseethat thespoilsofHisvictorybelongtoyou.
Father, God, May the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ be my strength today.∆
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Devotional from Julie-Allyson Ieron
NO BETTER HELPER
OneoftheplacesintheWordwhereIgoforcomfortearlyand oftenisRomans8.Thiswholechapteroverflowswithsuch beauty suchassurance.InitstruthsI'vefoundresourcesInever knewIcouldtap.
Forexample,verse21assuresusthatwe,alongwithallcreation andespeciallyourailinglovedones willbeliberatedone daysoonfrombondagetodecay.Theagingprocesswillonedaybe conqueredbyperfecthealth.Deathwillbeovercomebylife,rather thantheotherwayaround.
Evenifwesometimeswatchasdecaytakestheupperhand, whatacomforttohavetheabsoluteassurancethatwhatwesee isn'tthelastword—Someoneelsehasthelastword,theSomeone whoseFatherdidn'tallowHisbodytodecayinthegrave,theSomeonewhoroseandconquereddeathitself,theSomeoneWhonow holdsinHisnail-scarredhandsthekeysofdeath,hellandthegrave.
Thisissucharichpassageforus,thatI'dlikeustofocusona couplemoretruthsfromitsversesinthenextfewweeks.
Today,let'slookatoursourceofstrengthandcomfortaswe giveourselvesawayincaringforouraginglovedones.
Butifwehopeforwhatwedonotyethave,wewait foritpatiently.Inthesameway, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Wedonotknowwhatweoughttopray for,buttheSpirithimselfintercedesforuswithgroans thatwordscannotexpress.Andhewhosearchesour heartsknowsthemindoftheSpirit,becausetheSpirit intercedesforthesaintsinaccordancewithGod'swill (Romans8:25-27).
Didyoucatchthephrase,"theSpirithelpsusinourweakness"?
TheSpiritofGod,ThirdPersonoftheTrinity,thatSpirit Comforter,Counselor,Friend—Herecognizesourweakness,our exhaustion,ourpain,ourdiscouragement.Andnotonlythat,He comesin,rollsupHissleeves(asitwere),getsintothemiddleof
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ourstruggles,and helps us.TheHCSBtranslationputsitthisway: "theSpiritalso joins to help inourweakness." NASB Greek Dictionary clarifiesthelong,compoundGreekwordPaulusedwhenhewrote this."Totakeholdwithattheside,hence to take a share in,generally to help."
So,treasuredfriend,todayyouneednotfeelalone.Ifthere wereonlyOneWhocouldeverbeonyourside,atyourside,shoulderingtheweightoftheloadalongwithyou youwouldwantitto bethisOne theSpiritoftheLivingGod.Whobettertosearchour heartsandhelpusinourmosttryingmoments?
Nexttimewe'llfocusonHisprayersforus.Butfortoday,let's baskintheknowledgethatHisplaceisrightwhereweare right inthemiddleofitall andHe'slendingHisaidonourbehalf.
God, I draw strength in this moment from the promise that the Spirit is helping me in my weakest hours. This is my hope—founded on solid ground. I choose to take comfort from it. ∆
SO VERY CLOSE
Oneoftheeasiestnecessitiestoletslideamidflurriesofmedicaldiagnoses,financialconcerns,legalissues istheelementof spendinglove-filledqualitytimewithourfamiliesandnearest friends.Andyetwhatweneedmostofallissweettimeenjoyingthe companionshipofthosewithwhomwe'vebuiltrelationshipsover thecourseoflifetimes.
So,asIspendsomequalitytimewithmymomtoday,Ichallengeyoutojustsitwithyourlovedone,listentoher,talkabout somethingotherthanillnessordisabilities.Justbetogether.
ThisisaconceptthatIbelievetranslateswellintoourrelationshipwithGodandourdependenceonHisSpiritaswegoaboutour lives.ListentotheclosenessofrelationshipPauldescribesregardingthebelieverandtheSpiritofGodWholiveswithinus:
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Pearls of Comfort
Inthesameway,theSpirithelpsusinourweakness. Wedonotknowwhatweoughttoprayfor,buttheSpirit himselfintercedesforuswithgroansthatwordscannot express. And he who searches our hearts knowsthe mindoftheSpirit,becausetheSpiritintercedesforthe saintsinaccordancewithGod'swill(Romans8:26-27).
He'ssoclosethatHesearchesourhearts.Wedon'tevenneedto formwordstoletHimknowourneeds,ourexhaustion,ourdesperation,ourutterdependence.Hesearchesourheartsandrecognizesourneedsatthedeepestlevels.AndHeisthesameoneWho knowstheheartofourlovingFathertowardus.So,HeaskstheFatherforwhatweneedmost andHedoesthisinlinewithwhatHe alreadyknowstobetheFather'sperfectwillforus.Anddon'tthink foramomentthatourFatherinHeavenwon'tanswerHisown Spirit'sintercessoryrequestsonourbehalfwitharesounding"Yes! Amen!Letitbedone!"
Thisisqualityrelationshipatitsmostamazing.TheTriuneGod knowsus.Heisinusandwithusandworksthroughus.And,as we'lldiscoversoon(inRomans8:38-39)Hisloveforusisbeyond deterioration,division,ordistraction.Nothing—noteventhemost grievouspartsofgoingthroughillness canseparateusfromHis love,demonstratedmostclearlyinthegiftofChristJesusourLord.
Father, God, help me today to spend quality time with my loved ones. More importantly help me spend quality time getting to know You, Who knows me so intimately. ∆
OVERWHELMED!
ThisweekI'vebeeninspecialprayerfortwodearfellowcaregiverswhoaremakingtheagonizingdecisionsaboutthebest facilitieswheretheirailingparentswillgetthecaretheydesperatelyneed.Tomakethesechoicesintheirparents'bestinterests, theselovingcaregiversneedmorewisdom,insight,calm,compassion,strength,tenacity,andassistancethantheycangetinhuman
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terms.But,asbotharealsolong-timefollowersofChrist,theyhave theassurancethattheyarenotalone,thatthroughprayerandlisteningforGod'sdirectiontheywillfindtheresourcestheyneedso desperately.
Thebestnewsisthatyou,too,canhavethatsameassurance. ListentothewordsPaulpennedtobolsterfellowsufferersin theirtimesofmoststringentbattle:
WhocanseparateusfromtheloveofChrist?Can afflictionoranguishorpersecutionorfamineornakednessordangerorsword?Asitiswritten:BecauseofYou wearebeingputtodeathalldaylong;wearecountedas sheeptobeslaughtered.
No,inallthesethingswearemorethanvictorious throughHimwholovedus.
ForIampersuadedthatnotevendeathorlife,angels orrulers,thingspresentorthingstocome,⌊hostile⌋powers,heightordepth,oranyothercreatedthingwillhave thepowertoseparateusfromtheloveofGodthatisin ChristJesusourLord!(Romans8:35-39,HCSB)
Notevendeath—notevenpeopleorcircumstances—noteven illnessorpainorgrief noneofthesethingsandnothinganywhere canseparateusfromthe love ofGod.Drinkinthatawesometruth.
I'veoftenwonderedwhyPaulkeyedinonthe love attributeof Godhere.Whynot,nothingcanseparateusfromthepowerofGod? orthewisdomofGod?orthedeliveranceofGod?Whilethoseare alltrue,thereissomethingspecialaboutthe agape loveofGod thelovethatgivesitselfawayforthebettermentofthebeloved. Thelovethatputstheneedsofanotheraheadofitsowncomfort. That'stheperfectandcompletelovefromwhichnothing noteven thedarkestdayofcaregiving caneverseparateus. Godthevictor.Godthedestroyerofdeath,hell,andthegrave. Godthewise.Godtheall-powerful.NotonlydoesHeholdallthese titles.ButHeholdsthemforourlives allwrappedupinthepackageofHislove.HowmuchmorecomfortingisitthattheOneWho issomightychoosestousethatmightonourbehalf,inlove,with
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Devotional from Julie-Allyson Ieron
ourbestinterests(andthoseofourlovedones)inHisheartof hearts?
So,fatiguedandoverwhelmedfriend,drawcourageand strengthfromtheamazingloveofGodforyou.
Yes,lifeistragicallydifficult.ButtheOneWholovesyouperfectlyisconnectedtoyou,nexttoyou,yokedtoyouinseparably.He ispullingwithyou,andnoonecanchangethat.
Maybeyourdefinitionof"victorious throughHimwholoves you"doesn'tlookexactlylikeyouthoughtitwouldtoday.Butyou cancomethroughstrongerandclosertoHimandmoreconvinced ofHisloveforyoutodaythanyouwereyesterday.
God, I love the sound of this promise: that I can be victorious through You, because you love me. I choose to bask in Your victory. ∆
CLING TO THIS
Ihavebeenfeelingspirituallywrungoutinthesedays.Chasing todoctorvisits.Worriedandconcernedaboutmanythings—like Martha(Luke10:41).Missingoutonthetrulyimportant,I'veresistedtheopportunitytousethesemomentsoftestinginmylifeto drawcloserinmyrelationshipwithChrist.
Perhapsyou'vebeenthroughsomeseasonslikethis,aswell.
AsIwasprayingthismorning,confessingthatIsimplydidn't feel likehavingaquiettimewiththeLord,thewordsofthislongagomemorizedpassagecametomind andinthemIfounda measureofstrengthandenergytopresson:
Letusnotloseheartindoinggood,forinduetime wewillreapifwedonotgrowweary.Sothen,whilewe haveopportunity,letusdogoodtoallpeople,andespeciallytothosewhoareofthehouseholdofthefaith (Galatians6:9-10;NASB).
Ieron
ItseemstheApostlePaulrecognizedintheGalatianbelievers (probablyfromhavingexperiencedthesametemptationhimself)a fatigue—adrained-to-the-dregsfeelingthathadthemsurenoneof theefforttheywerespendingwouldultimatelyproveworthwhile.
Hisprescriptionwastopressonthrough keepdoinggoodand keepyourheartinit.Therewillbeadividendoneday,evenifyou can'tseeitrightnow.Don'tbeweary.(SoundsalotliketheMaster'swordsinJohn14:1,"Don'tletyourheartbetroubled.Trust Me.")
Itseemstomethesecondhalfoftheprescriptionistofindand seizeeveryopportunitytokeepdoinggood—toeveryone.Does thatincludethedoctorwhomaynotbetreatingmylovedonewith thetendercareasifhewerehisownfleshandblood?Doesthatincludetheclientwhoisdelinquentinpayingwhatisowed?Does thatincludethedriverwhocutsmeoffontheroad?Orthecustomerserviceagentwhoseemsmoreinterestedinventingherown frustrationthaninhelpingsolvemyproblemwithhercompany?
Isupposethe"everyone"inthepassageincludesallthoseindividuals—andsomanymore.Andespeciallythoseinthehousehold (whetherGod'shouseholdorourown).Thoseclosest.Thosemost likelytohearourtirades.Thosewhoneedour"doinggood"the most.
I'mnotquitesurehowthisworks,exactly.BecausePaul(and Christ)tellussimplynottoletithappen.Theweariness.Thediscouragement.Thefeelingthatnoneofthisbattleisworththeeffort. Theymakeitsoundlikeachoice achangeinperspective.And perhapsitis.Lookingtowardanothereventuality theonethatis inwhatseemslikethefardistantfuture(butcouldbeascloseas thisveryhour).Inlightofeternitythis"momentarylightaffliction isproducingforusanabsolutelyincomparableeternalweightof glory"(2Corinthians4:17,HCSB).
God, I’m weary. I need You to sustain me today. May I sense the eternal glory even in this affliction that doesn’t seem so light or momentary to me. I choose to cling to Your Word, no matter how I feel. ∆
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SELFLESS REQUEST FROM A LOVING SON
OneofthemostcompassionateandselflessscenesthatGospel writersrecordinthelifeofChristoccursinthelastmoments,asHe isgaspingforthosefinalbreaths.It'sasceneI'mthinkingaboutthis week,becauseinourhousegift-givingholidays(likebirthdays, Mother'sandFather'sDay,Christmas...)aren'tsingledays,but wholeweekcelebrations.So,Mother'sDay('er week)isonmymind today,althoughbrunchcameandwentonSunday. Here'showJohnrecordsthesceneIwanttodrawtoyourattentiontoday: ButstandingbythecrossofJesuswereHismother, andHismother'ssister,MarythewifeofClopas,and MaryMagdalene.WhenJesusthensawHismother,and thedisciplewhomHelovedstandingnearby,Hesaidto Hismother,"Woman,behold,yourson!"ThenHesaidto thedisciple,"Behold,yourmother!"Fromthathourthe discipletookherintohisownhousehold.(John19:25-27; NASB)
Inhonorofmymom,who(alongwithmydad)ismydearest andmostunderstandingcheerleader,supporterandfriend,Ihavea fewobservationsfromthepassagethatmightbebothcomforting andchallengingtothoseadultchildrenamonguswhofindourselvescastintherolesofcaregiver/advocatesforourparents. Thebeautyinthissceneisthree-sided. But standing by the cross of Jesus is His mother.
Theonewhodidn'talwaysunderstandHim;didn'talways get whatHewasallabout,sometimeseventriedtosidetrackHimfrom themissionHisFathersentHimtofulfill evenyet,shestoodby Himtothebitterend.Theendthatpiercedherheart,aswas prophesiedbythesageSimeononanotherdayinJerusalem the dayoftheinfantChrist'sdedicationatthetemple.That'swhat
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momsdo,attheirbest(althoughIgrieveoverthefactthatnotall momsachievethisheight).
Thesecondsideofthescene'spoignantbeautyistheSon'sactioninbeingabsolutelycertainthatHeentrustedthemotherHe lovedintothecareofHismostbelovedandtrustworthydisciple John. Behold your mother.
Inthosefewwords,somuchmorewassaid: Take care of this one I love as if she were your very own. Be kind to her. Compassionate. Care for her. See that her needs are met. See that she has safety, protection, food, a place to live, a place where she's needed and wanted and loved. Be to her what I would be if I were there companion, friend, confidante. I trust you to do that for her, as if you were doing it for Me.
Don'tyoulovethatscene?Faithfulparent.Concernedadult child.Compassionatecaregiver.Eyesmeeting,throughaveilof tears,inamomentofsuchintensitythattheearthwouldsoon shakeinagonyandtheskywouldturntototaldarkness.Theseare momentswewhoarecaregiverscanfeel—becauseinmanyways we'vebeenthereourselves.Committingourlovedone(orourselves)intothecareofmedicalteams,otherrelatives,staffsatrehabfacilitiesorevennursinghomes.Oh,howwecanrelatetothe wordsoftheSonofGod instructingHisearthlyfriendonthelongtermcareofHismother.Wetoohavebegged Care for my parents as if they were your own.
Thefinalbeautyofthisscenecomesinthesimpleline, From that very moment, that disciple took her into his home.
Nosecond-guessing.Nowafflingaboutfulfillingtherequest.No wishy-washyorhalf-heartedresponse.Animmediateandcomplete action.Close-up.AffectingJohn,andMrs.John,andtheirentire household.Andyet,hedidit,outoflovefortheMaster.
Father, Today, I'm rededicating myself to doing as John did ... to quickly and open heartedly doing all I can in the care of the loved ones You have entrusted to me. ∆
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Devotional from Julie-Allyson Ieron
WHEN THE WELL IS DRY
Ourfamilywouldcovetyourprayersthisweek.We'restrugglingwithillnessandimpendingsurgery.Mywritingandediting deadlines.Andmuchmore.
So,forme,thewellseemsdrytoday.That'swhyIreturnedthis eveningtoaScripturemygrandfatherbequeathedtomeinacard shortlybeforehisdeath.I'vefounditmeaningfulasI'vereaditover andoverinthelastyears.Tonight,Iconfess,itnearlymademe cry thegoodkindoftears.
Iprayitwilltouchyourheartinmuchthesameway atyour pointofmosthumblingneed.
Psalm20:1-7(NASB)
PrayerforVictoryoverEnemies
MaytheLORDansweryouinthedayoftrouble!May thenameoftheGodofJacobsetyousecurelyonhigh! MayHesendyouhelpfromthesanctuaryAndsupport youfromZion!MayHerememberallyourmealofferings Andfindyourburntofferingacceptable!Selah.
MayHegrantyouyourheart'sdesireAndfulfillall yourcounsel!
Wewillsingforjoyoveryourvictory,Andinthe nameofourGodwewillsetupourbanners.Maythe LORDfulfillallyourpetitions.
NowIknowthattheLORDsavesHisanointed;He willanswerhimfromHisholyheavenWiththesaving strengthofHisrighthand.
Someboastinchariotsandsomeinhorses,Butwe willboastinthenameoftheLORD,ourGod.
Thestrengthinthispassage,forme,isnotjusttheconfidencein God'sstrength,butthefactthatacheerleaderouttheresomewhere iscarryingmetothethroneofGodeventhisverymoment.As we'veexaminedinearlierdevotions,therearetwoHeavenlyPrayer Warriorsspeakingmyname(andyours)totheFather—Jesus ChristandtheHolySpirit.And,joiningTheirvoices,inthispassage,
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aregodlyfriends allpullinginthesamedirection,askingGodto strengthenusandtoproveHimselffaithfultous.
Let'smakeacovenant...youandI...I'mprayingthispassagefor youasIwritetonight andpleaseprayitformewheneveryou readit.I'mquitesureI'llneedit!Aswillyou.
God, I pray for others who are suffering today. Will You answer them in their distress even as You answer me in mine? ∆
HERE WE GO AGAIN!
Thisweekwe'vespentmoretimethanwe'dhopedinpungent hospitalwaitingrooms(you'drecognizethesmellanywhere:a minglingofantiseptic,burntcoffee,andcrumblingpaint)andon thecoldplasticchairsofspecialists'examrooms.Andit'snotgoing togeteasieranytimesoon.
Youknowhowthatgoes–becauseyou'vebeenthere(orperhaps are there),too.
That'swhythisScripturepromisefromthemouthofGodhas beenextrameaningfultomethisweek:
ButnowthussaystheLORD,hewhocreatedyou,O Jacob,hewhoformedyou,OIsrael:"Fearnot,forIhave redeemedyou;Ihavecalledyoubyname,youaremine. Whenyoupassthroughthewaters,Iwillbewithyou; andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverwhelmyou; whenyouwalkthroughfireyoushallnotbeburned,and theflameshallnotconsumeyou.ForIamtheLORDyour God,theHolyOneofIsrael,yourSavior.IgiveEgyptas yourransom,CushandSebainexchangeforyou.Because youarepreciousinmyeyes,andhonored,andIloveyou, Igivemeninreturnforyou,peoplesinexchangeforyour life"(Isaiah43:1-4;ESV).
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Devotional from Julie-Allyson Ieron
Pearls of Comfort
Ireallydon'tlikethatonewordthatkeepscroppingupinthe passage: when.Goddoesn'tsay, if thewatersthreatentofloodyou out; if youfindyourselfwalkingthroughfireor if flamescomeclose toyou.It'sthatpesky when.Thesethingsdocomeclosetous they dotouchourhouseholds,ourlovedones,ourownbodies.It'sarealityandacertainty it'sgoingtohappen.Thequestionishow we'regoingtomakeitthrough.
ForfollowersofChrist,thecomfortisinthecompanionship.It isin Who hascalledusbyname, Who wadesintothewatersand Who walksalongsideustokeepourfeetfromslidingonmossy rocks, Who knowswheretheinvisiblesandpitscutintotheslimy riverbed,and Who pledgestokeepusfromfallingintothem.
LikeHedidforthethreeHebrewyouthsintheking'striple-hot furnace,ChristHimselfwillbeforusthefourthmanrightinthere withuskeepingthefire'sflamesfromkindlingonus.Ilovethat scene,toldinDaniel3.Because,althoughGodallowedthefiresnear Hisfaithfulfollowers, when (Ilikethisuseof when muchbetter!)He broughtthemoutofthefurnace,theirclothesweren'teven singed—theydidn'tevenhavethesmellofsmokelingeringintheir hair.Theirfaithringsinmyears:
"OurGodwhomweserveisabletodeliverusfrom thefurnaceofblazingfire;andHewilldeliverusoutof yourhand,Oking.But even if He does not, letitbeknown toyou,Oking,thatwearenotgoingtoserveyourgodsor worshipthegoldenimagethatyouhavesetup"(Daniel 3:17-18;NASB).
ThesimilaritybetweenDaniel3'sactionandIsaiah43'spromisebringsmecomfortintheassurancethatGodwillagainbetrue toHisWord Fear not! … I will be with you. Hehasthemeansto followthroughonHispromise,andtheinclination(becauseHe lovesusandbecauseHeformedusandcalledusHisown)todoso.
God, what You say, You will do. I cling to this assurance even when the flood of waiting and fires of uncertainty threaten to overwhelm me. ∆
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ANSWERED PRAYER
IwanttoofferyouaglimpseintohowtheLordintervenedon ourfamily'sbehalftoday clearlyandobviously andbeyondwhat weexpected.First,letmeshareaportionoftheScriptureourpastorsGregandTimreadtoDad(andus)inhishospitalroomthis morning.It'sfromPsalm34.Whenyouhavetime,readthewhole Psalm foritisafaith-builder.Buthere'saportionofitthatrang trueforus: Psalm34:1-15(NASB)IwillblesstheLORDatalltimes;His praiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth.
MysoulwillmakeitsboastintheLORD;Thehumblewillhear itandrejoice.OmagnifytheLORDwithme,AndletusexaltHis nametogether.IsoughttheLORD,andHeansweredme,Anddeliveredmefromallmyfears.TheylookedtoHimandwereradiant, Andtheirfaceswillneverbeashamed.Thispoormancried,andthe LORDheardhimAndsavedhimoutofallhistroubles.Theangelof theLORDencampsaroundthosewhofearHim,Andrescuesthem.
OtasteandseethattheLORDisgood;Howblessedistheman whotakesrefugeinHim!OfeartheLORD,youHissaints;Forto thosewhofearHimthereisnowant.Theyounglionsdolackand sufferhunger;ButtheywhoseektheLORDshallnotbeinwantof anygoodthing.
Come,youchildren,listentome;Iwillteachyouthefearofthe LORD.
WhoisthemanwhodesireslifeAndloves length of daysthat hemayseegood?KeepyourtonguefromevilAndyourlipsfrom speakingdeceit.Departfromevilanddogood;Seekpeaceandpursueit.
TheeyesoftheLORDaretowardtherighteousAndHisears are open totheircry.
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Pearls of Comfort
Andhere'swhattheLorddidforDad...asIreportedittomy emailprayerteamjustmomentsago:
You’rereallynotgoingtobelievethisone…Wegottothe hospital,wentthroughalltheadmission,pre-op,ourpastorscameandprayedwithus,andthenursebroughthim downfortheprocedure.TheyhookedupIV,andputhimon thepacemakermonitorand….hishearthadcorrectedon itsown.Noprocedure!
TheycameandgotMomandmeinthewaitingroom(I’dread exactlytwopagesofmybook)andsentthethreeofusonourway.
Whatanansweredprayer!Imeannodisrespecttoourfaith here,butwesimplycan’tbelievehowGodundertookinanswerto yourprayersandthoseofeachofourlovedones.
IhavenoproblemexpectingGodtohealthroughdoctorsand meds,butI’msureIdidn’thavethefaithtoevenaskthatHe’dinterveneonHisownwithouttheprocedure.AnotherofGod’sspecial surprises.
May God be with you on your journey today, and show you the surprise of His hand evident and at work in your situation.
A DEGREE I DON'T WANT
I’mprettysureIqualifiedforanhonorarydegreecourtesyof walkingwithDadthroughhisrecentmedicalodyssey.I’vesecretly aspiredtooneforyears.NotthatIdon’tappreciatetheblackrobe, andredandwhitehoodIearnedformyMAallthoseyearsagoat BallState.Ido.Iworkedhardforit anyonewho’searnedone knowsthey’renotsimplybestowed,theyindicateyearsofeffort.
ButasmuchasI’vewishedforanhonorarydegreeIhaven’t technicallyearned,I’mthinkingtheoneIqualifiedforthissummer
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maynotbeoneIoughttowearwithpride.It’saPh.W. youknow, aDoctorateofthePhilosophyofWorries.Youmayhavequalified foronerecently,too.Inmywaiting-roomhoursandespeciallythe longnightswhenIlieawakeimaginingtheabsoluteworsteventualities,I’mquitesureI’vetakenthestudyofthisparticularscience tonewheights.OhhowI’veworried,fretted,fidgeted,andfeared.
Andit’sbeguntakingitstoll.SinceI’vebeenlivingit,Ihaven’t beenasconsciousofitsescalation—orofalltheenergiesI’vebeen pouringintothisstudy.But,thisafternoonweranintoanursewho caredforDadinoneofhisearlierhospitalizations.We’veseenher frequentlyintheensuingyears andshe’sofferedalisteningear andwisecounselmoretimesthanwecouldcount.Today,asshe celebratedwithusoverDad’sgreatnewsfromlastweek,she squeezedhisshoulder.ThenshelookedMomandmeintheeye. “Thishastakenitstollonyou.Allthisworry.Allthisstress.You’re feelingit,aren’tyou?”
MomandIlookedateachother. She knows our little secret. She can see in our drawn faces: the color of strain. The tell-tale lines of sleepless nights. The slump of pent-up fatigue. Wenoddeddumbly andchangedthesubjectexpertly.ButIcouldn’tgetthatconversationoutofmymindtonight,asItriedtosettlemythoughts,calm myupsetgut,andun-kinkmyshouldermusclesinpreparationfor bedtime.
Somethingaboutherconcernandhercandorremindedmeof wordsourMasterjustmighthavesaidtousinthatstoreaisletoday,hadHebeenvisiblypresent:
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? …Considertheliliesofthefield,howtheygrow: theyneithertoilnorspin,yetItellyou,evenSolomoninallhis glorywasnotarrayedlikeoneofthese.ButifGodsoclothesthe grassofthefield,whichtodayisaliveandtomorrowisthrown intotheoven,willhenotmuchmoreclotheyou, O you of little faith? Thereforedonotbeanxious,saying,‘Whatshallweeat?’or
31 Devotional
from Julie-Allyson Ieron
‘Whatshallwedrink?’or‘Whatshallwewear?’FortheGentiles seekafterallthesethings,and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ButseekfirstthekingdomofGodandhis righteousness,andallthesethingswillbeaddedtoyou.Therefore donotbeanxiousabouttomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew6:27-34;ESV).
GospelwriterMatthewrecordsfiveinstanceswhereJesuschides Hisdevotedbutwearyandworriedfollowersfortheir“little faith.”(Matthew6,8:26,14:31,16:8,17:20).Ilookedthemup.And forsomereason,tonightwhenIreadthemagain,Iwasn’tmyusual self quicktowagmyindexfingeratthedisciples.Thistime,Iunderstood.MorethanIeverhavebefore,Igottheslownessofthe disciplestotrusttheMasterwhencircumstanceslookhopeless:
• Theboatistossedbyrelentlesswinds andtheinfuriatinglyunconcernedMastersleepsinthebow.
• Peterstepsoutoftheboatandsinksintothewaves.
• Theministryteam’stangiblereservesoflife’snecessities aredepleted.
• Thecuretheyprayforisslowincoming.
Igetwheretheywerefindingtheirfears.BecauseI’mthere. Rightthere.Worried,notthattheMastercan’tintervene.Butrather thatHewon’t.Afterall,inthislife,thingsdon’talwaysworkout withfairytaleendings.Eventhosewhoreceivedmiraclesinthe NewTestament,eventuallypassedoutofthisworldandintoeternity.Nothingthissideispermanent.Soit’seasytoworryabout that tolookaroundatcircumstances,andwaverinmyfaith.(I’m sayingmyhere,butI’mguessing you’ve beenhere,too.)
That’swhereJesus’wordsinMatthew6bothchallengeand encourageus.OncewegetpastHisnailingmeformylittlefaithand nodinagreementwithHisrealisticassessmentthat“tomorrowwill
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beanxiousforitself”(itwillcertainlyhaveitsshareoftrouble),we cansinkourwearyselvesintothemiddleofthepassage.Usually, whenIreadit,IfocusontheseekingfirstHiskingdom.Certainly that’stheprescription ultimately.Buttonight,Igravitatedmore tothe“why”weneedn’tworry.AbbaFatherinHeavenknows what’shappeninghere.He knows whatweneed.AndHisarmis readytoactonourbehalf maybetodeliverusfromthestorm, morelikelytosupportandprovideforusthroughit.Hepromised Hewouldindeedseetoourneeds.
So,IbelieveifHeweretobetheonetoendowmewiththat honorarydoctorate,itwouldn’tbeinajoyfullypleasantceremony.I wouldlookintoHiseyesandfindthemdisappointedinmylacking faith.IimagineHewouldsaysomethingclosetowhatHetoldthe disciplesonthosemanyoccasions: “Ohyouoflittlefaith,whydid youdoubt?Didn’tyouknowIcare?Iloveyou?I’lladdtoyouallthe thingsIalreadyknowyouneedtoday—andallthosethingsIknow you’llneedtomorrow.Yourworryisaccomplishingnothing in fact,lessthannothing.It’shurtingyou.ThisissomethingIdon’t wantforyou.Youdidn’tneedtoearnthisparticulardegree.Cease striving,andrestlikeyourMasterinthebowoftherockingboat. YourMightyGodhasitallundercontrol.”
Onsecondthought,maybeI’llturndownthatdegree,andsee ifIcan earn oneinamoreappropriatefield IthinkI’llgofora Ph.F,DoctorateofFaith.Aslongasit’swell-placedfaithinthislovingandcompassionateMaster,itwillbeworththework.Wantto joinmeinthepreparationandstudy?
I pray for you tonight, my friend, that the God of all comfort will sustain, encourage, uplift, and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit. May He touch your soul with glimpses of the eternal glory that awaits you in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Julie
TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS
Evenwhenyourlovedoneisdistressed,itisimportant foryoutoremaincalm,supportive,andcontrolled.
Yourlovedonemaybecomedisoriented,frustrated, evenangry.Butthesituationwillbelesslikelytoescalateifyouremainpatientandflexible.
Youcanhelpthepatientbymaintainingeyecontact whenshespeaks,andbybeingcarefulnottocriticize, correct,interruptorargue.
Beawareofsafetyconcernsinthehomewhereyour lovedoneisconvalescing.Forexample,removearea rugsandextensioncordsthatmayprecipitatefalls,disable(orunplug)appliances,andkeephouseholdchemicalsinaninaccessibleplace.
Keepalistofemergencynumberscloseathand:doctor, police,fire,ambulance,familymembers’cellandwork numbers.
Beonthealertforsignsofstressinyourself,andscheduletimetotakecareofyourself.You'llbeabettercaregiverifyouremainhealthyandrefreshed,inbodyand inspirit.
Bewillingtoaccept(andseek)helpfromothers.
Maintainajournalwhereyouchronicleyourjoysand sorrows.Itcanbetherapeutictorecordyourthoughts andexperiencesonadailybasis.∆
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To check date availability, write to Joy at conferences@joymediaservices.com.
35 Devotional from Julie-Allyson Ieron
